South Station Gets Free WiFi, Courtesy Of Google

BOSTON Google has teamed up with the MBTA to provide free public WiFi access inside Boston’s South Station, starting Thursday.

The California Internet giant is paying for the access. Google Engineering Director Steve Vinter said in a statement that the network will allow hundreds of thousands of commuters to be more productive online at a key transportation hub.

“We understand that people want to stay connected from anywhere, at any time, from any device,” Vinter said. “As a major hub for Boston area residents, the new WiFi network at South Station will allow hundreds of thousands of commuters to be even more productive online each day.”

MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott praised the project as an improvement to the transit experience.

“By coupling this new initiative with the WiFi service provided on Commuter Rail trains, the MBTA is keeping its customers connected from the moment they enter South Station to the time they exit trains,” Scott said in a statement.

The transit agency is looking for partners to add WiFi to North Station and Back Bay Station, along with commuter boats, and improve service on the Commuter Rail.